Our first-ever trade show for CAMBUSH at the Iowa Deer Classic 2014
February 28 2014 – Shawn OConnor
Walking through the Iowa Deer Classic (find them on Facebook or Twitter) in years past, the thought never crossed my mind that one day I would be an exhibitor there. And today, we are participating in our first tradeshow: the Iowa Deer Classic in Des Moines, Iowa.
Just 18 weeks ago we launched CAMBUSH as an online business. Because we don’t have a retail store, this is the first time we get to demonstrate our product and interact with our customers in a face-to-face format. It’s thrilling! I’m anxious to hear feedback, visit with fellow hunters and swap ideas with other exhibitors.
I've attended the Iowa Deer Classic for several years, and it is something I look forward to each year. I've watched the show grow and it now occupies more than 100,000 square feet and sees tens of thousands of visitors. If you've never been to the Iowa Deer Classic, I encourage you to check it out.
Going from spectator to exhibitor at the Iowa Deer Classic is a bit of a surreal experience. Standing on a ladder overlooking the tradeshow floor so I could hang our CAMBUSH banner was empowering. Boxes of product were lined up below me, CAMBUSH-covered trail cameras displayed on a table to the back, my smartphone with the credit card app ready to go, and 5,000 marketing cards explaining a DIY camera mount were ready to hand out. It’s truly a family business with my in-laws setting up the booth, my 9-year-old daughter cheering us on while she visits Pretty Hunter and my 12-year-old son in his CAMBUSH sweatshirt ready to scout out some deer jerky at The Jerky Shoppe!
My experience just goes to show that anything is possible in this great nation of ours. If you’ve ever thought about starting a business, or whatever your dream might be, I encourage you to give it a go. If you’re passionate about your dream and willing to put in hard work, you never know what could happen. I'm giving my dream a go, and we couldn't be more excited about participating in the Iowa Deer Classic.
3 comments
Congrats Shawn! I love to see guys start with an idea and make it a reality. It’s a lot of work but worth the effort. And to do it with your family is even better!
The picture of you standing on the ladder hanging the CAMBUSH banner is a great visual on what you have done. I wish you great success and a very soft floor this weekend!
Congrats and here’s to much success!
Chuck and I wish for you a very successful show at the Iowa Deer Classic.